How to Protect Yourself From AI Voice Scams This Tax Season: Expert Tips You Need to Know

Tax season is around the corner and in the mire of deadlines and regulations, there is another thing tax filers need to be vigilant about this year: AI voice telephone scams. Michael Scheumack, chief innovation officer at IdentityIQ, a company specializing in identity theft protection, shares his expert advice on protecting yourself from artificial intelligence voice and identity fraud. Keep reading to learn to discern legitimate financial advisors from fraudsters this tax season. 

The rise of AI-driven voice cloning scams and tax season

While the continued development of AI enables beneficial innovation, it can still be misused.

Scheumack explains that AI-voice cloning technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated and “is the scariest thing we have seen.”

One of the most concerning capabilities of AI-voice cloning technology is the ability to impersonate virtually anyone such as trusted accountants and financial advisors. 

“Fraudsters can take a four-second clip found online and clone someone’s voice that a victim knows,” says Scheumack. “This is of particular concern during tax season when fraudsters can impersonate trusted advisors like accountants and financial advisors who tax filers will typically be in contact with during this time of year.”

Beyond voice cloning, AI also makes scamming through deepfake impersonations possible.

“Using just a few seconds of existing videos or images, AI can replace someone’s face with another or even add facial expressions, movements, and audio that weren’t originally there,” says Scheumack about AI deepfake technology. 

What myths about agencies and businesses do fraudsters exploit during tax season? 

Firstly, it’s important to note that the IRS will never contact tax filers by phone without first notifying you in the mail.

“Scammers like to pose as the IRS over the phone. They claim you owe the IRS and threaten to take legal action,” says Scheumack. “Often, the scammer requests a wire payment or a prepaid debit. Or, in some cases, ask for personal information to commit identity theft.”

If someone calls you pretending to be the IRS and asks for payment through unofficial methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, they are a scammer.

In addition to posing as the IRS over the phone, scammers will try to trick taxpayers through phishing emails.

“Tax scammers create phishing emails to trick you into providing tax forms containing personal information. The emails appear from a legitimate government agency, such as the IRS, instructing you to complete the additional tax forms. The scammers then use this information to commit identity theft or steal money from you,” warns Scheumack.

How consumers can protect themselves against voice cloning fraud during tax season

First and foremost, Scheumack advises customers to limit the amount of personal information they share online, especially on public platforms. 

“Scammers often rely on publicly available data to gather audio samples for voice cloning,” says Scheumack. “Regularly review your privacy settings on social media platforms and avoid oversharing personal details that could potentially be used against you.”

Other identity protection techniques include multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all of your private accounts and creating a “family password” for your family members or a special and confidential word that acts as a verification code for authentic communications.

Scheumack also emphasizes the importance of staying informed about the latest AI voice cloning techniques and scams to protect your identity: “Knowledge is your best defense.”

While AI voice cloning scans are a new and concerning threat, tools are available to protect your identity. Consider filing your taxes earlier rather than later this season to allow time for implementing these protective measures.